Apparatus for electrothermal dissociation of organic liquids



Dec. 26, 1933.

J. J. JAKOSKY APPARATUS FOR ELECTROTHERMAL DISSOCIATION OF ORGANICLIQUIDS Original Filed Jan. 22, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l A TORNEXS' Dec.26, 1933. J. J JAKQSKY 1,941,009

APPARATUS FOR ELEQTROTHERMAL DISSOCIATION OF ORGANIC LIQUIDS OriginalFiled Jan. 22. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO'R A TTORNE Y5 J. J. JAKOSKYDec. 26, 1933.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROTHERMAL DISSOCIATION OF ORGANIC LIQUIDS 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 22, 1932 INVENTOR J35]: .Ifahosh 27%A TTORN K5 Patented Dec. 26, 1933 APPARATUS FOR- ELECTROTHEBMAL DIS-SOCIATION OF ORGANIC LIQUIDS John J. Jakosky, Los Angeles, Calif.,assignor to Electroblacks Incorporated, Culver City, Calif., acorporation of Nevada Originalapplication January 22, 1932, Serial No.

588,146. Divided and this application February 20, 1933.

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the electrothermaldissociation of organic liquids for the production of carbon-black,hydrogen, unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, and the like, by means ofan electric arc discharge between electrodes submerged beneath thesurface of a body of such liquid, and is particularly applicable to theproduction of carbon-black by such dissociation of hydrocarbon oils orother carbon bearing liquids. This application is a division of myearlier application Serial No. 588,146 filed January 22, 1932.

In apparatus which have heretofore been commonly employed for efiectingelectrothermal dissociation of organic liquids, a number of very seri- Ious operating difliculties have been encountered. In the first place, ithas been found extremely diiiicult, in practice, to maintain suflicientcontact of the arc with the dissociable liquid to provide an efficientutilization of the energy of said arc in bringing about dissociation ofthe liquid and production of a high yield of the desired dissociationproducts. of the liquid is largely dependent upon direct contact thereofwith the arc, it is evident that the rate at which fresh surfaces ofsuch liquid may be exposed to the surface of the arc is a factor ofparamount importance; It maybe pointed out that, in processes of thissort, the products of dissociation are formed in direct contact with thearc, and both solid and gaseous products thus formed tend to preventcontact of the arc with fresh portions of liquid, unle'ss adequate meansare provided for removing such products from o the arc. Furthermore, ifsuch dissociation prodnets are permitted to remain unduly long in theare or in contact therewith, deleterious effects are sometimes producedthereon. For example, carbon formed by electrothermal dissociation oforganic liquids is initially produced in a very finely divided conditionand possessed of certain physical and chemical properties by reason ofwhich it is a highly valuable product known as carbon-black, but if itis permitted to remain at the high temperature of the are for anyconsiderable period after its initial formation, its size and otherphysical and chemical properties are so altered as to greatly lessen itsvalue or to even render it entirely unsuitable for use as carbonblack.These deleterious effects are, of course, of particular importance whenthe production of carbon-black is a major object of the process.

Another difficulty which has been encountered is the heating of theelectrodes themselves by contact with the arc, which represents a directInasmuch as dissociation I Serial No. 657,687

loss of energy in unnecessary heating of the electrodes instead of indissociation of the liquid. The heated electrodes give up heat to theliquid at positions removed from the arc, but heat so delivered to theliquid serves only to raise the temperature of the main body of liquidinstead of producing dissociation thereof, as dissociation does notordinarily occur to an appreciable extent at any temperature thusattained in the body of oil outside the arc.

Another disadvantage has been the tendency to deposit excessive amountsof carbon-on the electrodes. In the ideal operation of the process, thecarbon produced should all be disseminated or dispersed into the liquidmedium surrounding the arc and remain suspended therein, and only thoseparticles of carbon which behave in this manner are actually recoverableas carbon-black. Any carbon which deposits on the electrodes is of ahard, gritty nature and substantially valueless, even if it could beremoved from the electrodes in any practicable manner and converted tofinely divided condition. Production of this type of carbon, therefore,decreases the efficiency of carbon-black production, not only on thebasis of electrical energy expended but alsoon the basis of the amountof liquid consumed. Also particles of this hard, gritty, coarse carbondeposited on the electrodes may break off and become mixed with thecarbon-black. Such particles must be subsequently separated from thecarbon-black, and such separation further increases the cost ofproduction.

Furthermore, the excessive building up of carbon on the electrodesinterferes with the maintenance of proper arcing conditions, as it formsirregular arcing faces on the electrodes, causes the arc to depart fromits desired position, shortens the arc gap, and in some cases completelyshort-circuits the electrodes, thus entirely pre- 95 venting furtherarcinguntil the deposited carbon is removed.

This deposition of carbon on the electrodes may be due, in part atleast, to localized heating of the arcing surfaces of the electrodes andto failure to provide for wetting of such arcing surfaces with freshoil, as it has been found that when the arc takes place betweenelectrode surfaces which are not kept wetted by'undissociated oil and.

, which are permitted to reach a high temperature approximating that ofthe arc itself, there is a tendency for such. deposition to occur due todissociation occurring upon contact of the liquid, orvapors thereof,with such hot, non-wetted electrode surfaces. I no This carbondeposition may also be due, to a greater'or less extent, to theprecipitation upon the electrode surfaces of ionized or electricallycharged carbon particles, formed by dissociation out in the main body ofthe arc, such precipitation taking place by reason of the electricalfield existing within the arc. Such action seems to occur to thegreatest extent when a unidirectional arc is employed, as the electricalfield then acts to continually drive ionized or charged particles in thesame direction, but also occurs to some extent with an alternatingcurrent are unless adequate means are provided to prevent it.

Among other dimculties which have been encountered may be mentioned thehigh relation of striking potential to operating potential, and theinability to use an arc of relatively high current without decreasingthe efliciency of utilization of electrical energy. Both of thesefactors have limited the power input per are which may be economicallymaintained without excessively high striking voltages, and the highratio of striking to operating potential has seriously increased theconsumption of electrical energy, and produced a low power factor aswill be hereinafter explained.

It is well lmown that a relatively high voltage is required to strike anare through a poorly conducting liquid medium but that after the arc isonce started, if the length of arc gap remains the same, the voltagebetween the electrodes drops to a relatively low value due to thegreatly increased conductivity of the ionized medium. In an alternatingcurrent arc, the arc breaks each half cycle, as the voltage in onedirection approaches zero, and a new are must be formed as the voltagestarts to increase in the opposite direction. The average operatingpotential across the arc must, therefore, be considerably '40- below themaximum line voltage available for initiating the are at each half cycleand also, if the striking potential is high in proportion to the maximumline voltage the arc will be maintained during only a relatively smallpart of each half cycle. As the power input per arc is a direct functionof the average operating voltage and of the time during which arcing ismaintained, it is evident that, with a given available voltage in thesupply circuit, the greater the difference between the strikingpotential and the operating potential the less will be the power inputin the are and consequently the less the dissociation obtained.Furthermore, if the operating potential is relatively low as compared tothe striking potential, a relatively large reactance must be provided inseries with the arc, thus increasing the cost and size of theinstallation required for energization of the dissociation apparatus,and producing a low power factor. 7

' The relatively high ratio of striking potential to operatingpotential, obtained in electrothermal dissociation apparatus heretoforeemployed, has been due, in some cases, to the fact that the apparatuswas so designed that the new are formed at each reversal oi. the voltagemust strike through a new portion of substantially nonionized liquidmedium instead of through the ionized medium through which the precedingarc occurred. In other cases, it has been due to the failure to providefor elongation of the arc path after the arc was formed. Although it haspreviously been attempted, in certain types of apparatus previouslydisclosed, to increase the length of the arc after it was formed, themeans provided for that purpose were relatively ineffective.

Furthermore, it is not known that any such-type of apparatus hasheretofore been so designed as to provide for rapid elongation of thearc path after formation of each arc and at the same time maintain aneflectively ionized medium in proximity to the electrodes and tomaintain a sufficiently short path between the electrodes, through saidionized medium, to permit formation of a new are at relatively lowstriking potential.

As regards the limitation on current flow per arc, in previous types ofapparatus, this is believed to have been due, on the one hand, to alimitation of the area of arcing surfaces of the electrodes which couldbe used without interfering with access of oil to the arc therebetweenand, on the other hand, to a limitation of the effective currentdensity, which could be employed in previous types of apparatus withoutcausing undue heating of the electrodes and deposition of carbonthereon.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an apparatusadapted for the electrothermal dissociation of organic liquids for theproduction of carbon-black or for other purposes, in a more eflicientand economical manner than has been heretofore realized. With this endin view, it may be considered as a general aim of this invention toprovide an apparatus which overcomes or minimizes all of the abovementioned disadvantages previously encountered.

An important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capableof obtaining a very high efficiency of production of carbon-black for agiven consumption of electrical energy and dissociable liquid. A furtherobject is to provide an apparatus capable of a high rate of productionof carbon-black in an apparatus of minimum size,

cost, and electric power requirements.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whichobtains maximum contact of the electric arc with dissociable liquid inorder to obtain a maximum amount of dissociation andcarbon-blackproduction. One means of obtaining such increased contact of the arcwith the liquid according to this invention consists in establishing anarc in a zone which is continuously maintained in an ionized and highlyconductive condition between continuously opposed surfaces ofoppositely-charged electrodes, and causing continuous relative movementof said arcing zone with respect to the liquid, either by moving thearcing zone through the liquid or by moving the liquid past the arcingzone, or both, whereby fresh surfaces of dissociable liquid arecontinually brought into contact with the arc. Furthermore the ionizedarcing zone is preferably caused to be extended or elongated in the pathof relative movement of the arcing zone and liquid so as to increase thelateral surfaces of the arcing zone and thus provide maximum area ofcontact with the liquid for an arc of given size. The relative area ofcontact of the arc with the liquid, as compared to the size of the arcis also preferably increased by so forming at least one of theelectrodes as tocause at least one of the dimensions of the arc in aplane transverse to the path of relative movement of the arc and liquidto be quite small as compared to the length of the are. In other words,the arc is caused to assume the shape of a distorted pencil havingrelatively small thickness and relatively great length, with its lateralsurfaces exposed to contact with the liquid, and the nature of therelative motion of the liquid is such as to continually bring fresh por-I tions thereof into contact with these lateral surrapid removal ofproducts of dissociation from liquid outside the dissociation zone.

the arcing zone and from contact with the are, not only forthe purposeof preventing injury to such products by prolonged subjection to hightemperature but also for the purpose of preventing such products ofdissociation from interferingwith the contact between the arc and thedissociable liquid. Furthermore, in case the path of relative movementof the arc and liquid is of circular shape, or is a closed path of othershape, it is desired to remove the gaseous products of dissociation notonly from the momentary position of the are but also from such path ofrelative movement, so that gaseous products of dissociation formed whenthe-arc and liquid are at one relative position in the path of movementthereof will not be again brought into contact with the are when the arcand liquid again reach the same relative position. The apparatusof thisinvention provides for removal of products of dissociation from thearcing zone principally by the high velocity relative movement of'" thearcv with respect to the liquid. When the path of relative movement issubstantially circular, as inthe preferred embodiments of the inventionhereinafter described, centrifugal force also acts to a very largeextent to remove the gaseous dissociation products from the arcing zoneand from the path of movement.

A further object of the invention is to minimize heating of theelectrodes by contact with the arc, and thus obtain maximum efficiencyof utilization of electrical energy in causing dissociation of theliquid, since, as is pointed out above, heat taken up by the electrodesthemselves is of no use in effecting dissociation but merely serves toraise the general temperature of the For this purpose, the arc is causedto have a minimum amount of contact with the electrodes themselves.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate or minimize depositionof carbon on the surfaces of the electrodes, and thus permitsubstantially all of the carbon formed by dissociation to be recoveredin the form of carbon-black, while at the same time preserving thedesired shape and relative disposition of the electrode surfaces, freefromexcessive carbon deposits, and preventing short-circuitingtherebetween. This object is accomplished in part by minimizing thetemperature to which the arcing faces of the electrodes are heated, bothby minimizing the contact of the arc with the electrodes as abovedescribed and thus reducing the quantity of heat transferred to theelectrodes, and also by cooling certain of the arcing faces by contactwith liquid. Another 60 means which is preferably employed forpreventing deposition of carbon on the electrode surfaces consists inmoving certain of the electrode surfaces at which arcing occurs, in adirection away from the are at a velocity sumcient to preventprecipitation upon such surfaces of carbon formed within said are, bythe electrical .precipi tating, action of the electrical field withinthe arc. In order to accomplish this, such electrode surfaces arepreferably moved away from the are at a velocity greater than thevelocity of migration of electrically charged carbon particles in saidelectrical field.

A further object of the invention is to reduce the striking potentialrequired to form an arc between the electrodeswhen alternating currentis employed. This aim of the invention may be more specificallyexpressed as the maintenance of the maximum ratio of operating potentialto striking potential. This notonly decreases the size andcost ofauxiliary electrical apparatus required, but also increases the powerinput per are, for a given maximum voltageavailable. According to thisinvention, this last mentioned obiect is attained by the continualmaintenance of an ionized gaseous zone within a body of liquid andbetween continuously opposed surfaces of oppositely charged electrodes.For this purpose, the invention provides for maintaining a definitelimited quantity of ionized gas in the region of the shortest pathbetween the electrodes, said electrodes having arcing surfaces which arecontinually within arcing distance of one another along said shortestpath, so that, since the voltage during any half-cycle of thealternating current reaches a sufficient value to form an are throughthe ionized medium between said por-.

tions' of the electrode surfaces, an arc will be formed. Furthermore,the arc is moved relative to the oil in such manner and at such velocityas to immediately extend or elongate the are thus formed, and theelectrode surfaces are of such shape and disposition, with respect tothis relative movement, as to permit such extension or elongation tooccur, while providing a pocket" adjacent one of the electrodes andprotected from the passing liquid, which performs the above statedfunction of retaining a limited quantity of ionized gas in the region ofthe shortest path between the electrodes. Thus, the voltage required toinitially form tharc is reduced to a minimum, while an arc of maximumlength is thereafter maintained throughout that half formed, may beadvantageously used for various purposes, such as compounding withrubber, or which may be used, either before .or after separacycle untilthe voltage drops to a value at which I tion from such liquid, in themanufacture of printing ink or other ink or pigment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the typeabove mentioned, in which the consumption of the electrodes isminimized, which not only permits continuous operation over a longperiod with a minimum need for readjustment of the electrode spacing butalso minimizes the expenditure required for replacement of electrodes- Afurther object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable ofincreased smoothness of operation of the electric arc submerged beneaththe liquid, due to the continuous maintenance of an ionized conductivearcing zone between the electrodes.

In the apparatus of the present invention means are provided formaintaining an electric are between oppositely charged electrodes havingopposing arcing surfaces submerged beneath the surface of a body ofliquid, one of said electrodes being oi" relatively small cross-sectionand provided with a relatively small arcing surface at the end closestto the other electrode. Furthermore, means are provided for continuallymoving said one electrode at high velocity with respect to the liquid,so as to cause the gaseous medium or zone in' which the arc takes placeto trail behind said one electrode due to the frictional drag of saidliquid, the arcing surface of the other of said electrodes beingcontinuously maintained in position of arcing relation with respect tosaid one electrode. The direction of relative movement of said oneelectrode is preferably substantially perpendicular to the shortest pathbetween the two electrodes, and the relatively small arcing face of saidone electrode is preferably disposed at the rearward side thereofv withrespect to said direction of relative movement. The velocity of relativemovement of said one electrode with respect to the liquid is suffi-,ciently high to cause each arc formedbetween said electrodes to beswept rearwardly of said electrode by the relative motion of the liquidpast the sides of said arc, so as to-deflne a trailing arcing zone ofionized vapors at high temperature, whose lateral surfaces arecontinually brought into contact with fresh dissociable liquidsubstantially free from gaseous dissociation products, flowing past saidone electrode and said arcing zone in stream line fashion. Also, suchvelocity of relative movement of said one electrode should be sufficientto substantially prevent electrical precipitation'of carbon particlesfrom the are upon the rearwardly disposed arcing face thereof, or inother words, not less than the velocity of migration of electricallycharged carbon particles at the potential gradient of the are. Forexample, this relative velocity may be between 20 and ,feet per second.

Furthermore, the width of said one electrode, in a direction transverseto the direction of relative movement thereof, is preferably quite smallas compared to the length of the trailing arcing zone, for example, lessthan aboutonethird the length of said arcing zone, whereby a relativelylong arc of small transverse thickness is maintained and fresh liquid ispermitted to flow past said one electrode and into close contact withthe respective sides ofsaid are, thus providing a maximum surface ofcontact of the arc with the liquid, for an arc of given totalcross-sectional area.

Said one electrode is also preferably inclined from its arcing faceforwardly in the direction of relative movement thereof and away fromthe path of such movement, so as to cause the arc to retain its positionat the end of said electrode and prevent the are from becoming displacedaway from the end of the electrode and along the side thereof, as hasbeen found to be the case when an electrode of this type is disposed ina direction more nearly perpendicular to the path of relative movementof said one electrode or is inclined in a direction opposite to thatabove described.

The other of said electrodes may be fixed and provided with an extendedarcing surface, and said one electrode of small arcing surface may bemoved continually at high velocity in a circular or other closed path ata uniform distance from said extended surface; or, saidother electrodemay also be moved concurrently with said one electrode, relative to theoil in which case the arcing surface of said other electrode may also berelatively limited, being kept in uniform arcing relation with respectto said one electrode due to such concurrent relative movement. In thelatter case, however, the arcing surface of said other electrode is.preferably somewhat elongated rearwardly with respect to the directionof relative motion of said electrodes, soas to permit each are formedtherebetween to be extended substantially in the path of such motion dueto relative retardation of the end of the are which is furthest removedfrom the electrode of relatively small arcing surface.

' In the operation of an apparatus of the present invention embodyingthe above features the stream-line motion of the liquid past the arcingzone serves not only to extend the arc and to bring fresh liquid intocontact with the sides of said arc, but also to carry the major portionof the dissociation products almost immediately out of the arcing zone.However, it will be observed that as the liquid streams past theinclined electrode and past the edges of the rearwardly disposed smallarcing face thereof, a pocket is defined directly rearward of thisarcing face, and a relatively small quantity of the ionized vapors andgaseous products formed within the are are maintained in this'pocket andin position between the arcing faces of the two electrodes adjacent thepoint of greatest proximity of said electrodes. Furthermore, this gaspocket remains in this position and retains its ionized condition evenafter the arc has been extinguished during each half-cycle, so that asthe voltage again increases on the next halfcycle, the voltage requiredto strike a new are will be reduced to a minimum, not only because ofthe relatively short arcing path which is always available between theelectrodes but also by reason of the presence of this ionized medium insuch path.

The voltage supplied to the opposing electrodes is sufficient tomaintain an arc therebetween during a considerable part of eachhalf-cycle. It is evident that, for a given maximum voltage in thesupply circuit, the lower the striking voltage at which the arc isformed during each half-cycle the sooner the arc will form, andconsequently the greater will be the proportion of the total duration ofeach half-cycle during which arcing will be maintained. For this reason,the minimizing of the striking potential as above described permits asatisfactory rate of dissociation to be obtained with a lower availableline voltage than would otherwise be possible. It will be understoodthat the invention is not restricted as to the voltage employed, as thismay vary according to the nature of the liquid being treated, the lengthof the arc gap between the electrodes, and other factors. However, as anexample, for the dissociation of hydrocarbon liquids, and withelectrodes spaced approximately one-fourth inch apart, goodresults havebeen obtained with voltages from 2,000 to3,000 volts.

The electrodes are preferably energized with alternating current ofrelatively low frequency, for example, ordinary commercial frequencies,or frequencies of from 25 to 500 cycles per second. When the principalobject, or a material object,

-of the invention in the production of carbon- The use of alternatingcurrent is considered preferable to direct current for several reasons.In the first place, it affords an opportunity for products of reactionformed during each half cycle to be removed from the arcing zoneafter-quenching of the arc and before the next arc is formed, so thatthe next arc is immediately exposed to contact with fresh oil, and ahigh efficiency of utilization of the electrical energy is obtained.Also, the pulsating arc appears to exert a sort of breathing effect, dueto alternate forming and quenching of the are, which facilitatesmovement of liquid into the arcing zone and movement of dissociationproducts out of said zone. Furthermore, it reduces the tendency todeposition of carbon particles on the electrodes by electricalprecipitation, due to the alternate reversal of the direction of theelectrical field and of the direction of movement of electricallycharged carbon particles.

When I operate my improved apparatus under preferred conditions, I use ahigh are current in proportion to the size of the relatively smallarcing surface of said one electrode, or in other words, a high averagecurrent density based on the area of said arcing surface. Such averagecurrent density should exceed 20 amperes per square inch of total areaof this arcing surface, and preferably exceeds 50 amperes per squareinch, and I have found that particularly good results are obtained, inthe dissociation of certain hydrocarbon oils to produce carbon-black,when this average current density is between 100 and 300 amperes persquare inch. The use of this high average current density not onlyprovides a maximum power input per arc, and consequently a maximum rateof dissociation, for an electrode of given dimensions, butalso leads tomaximum contact of the relatively moving liquid with both sides of thearc, by providing an arc whose width approximates the width of thiselectrode. It will be apparent that when an arc of this relatively greatwidth is provided, the liquid flowing past the two sides of therearwardly disposed end of said electrode in stream-line fashion isbrought immediately into contact with the arc and remains in contacttherewith throughout the entire length of the arc. If, on the otherhand, the current flow were so low, relative to the area of the' arcingface of 'this electrode, that the arc filled only a small part of thespace rearwardly of said arcing face, the remainder of this space wouldtend to become filled with trapped gaseous products at a temperaturelower than that of the arc itself and much poorer contact of the liquidwith the arc would be obtained. Furthermore, the maintenanceof a largearc provides a suflicient quantity of ionized vapors to effectivelyserve the above mentioned purpose of permitting formation of each neware at a relatively low striking potential.

The accompanying drawings illustrate several forms of apparatus inaccordance with the present invention, and referring thereto:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a preferred form of apparatus, with thedriving means not shown;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the apparatus on line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a is a partial side elevation of one electrode unit, taken on lineaa in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2b is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative form ofelectrode unit, showing the use of a plurality of electrodes on a singleelectrode arm;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat schematic or diagrammatic representation of thecomplete apparatus and certain auxiliary equipment together with theelectrical circuit means employed for energization thereof;

Fig. 4 is a partly sectional elevation of an alternative form ofapparatus;

Fig. 5 is a partial transverse section thereof on line 5-5 in Fig.4, onsomewhat enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a portion of the electrode mountingassembly thereof;

Fig. 7 is a View of the electrodes on line 77 in Fig. 4; r

Fig. 8 is a similar view of a modified electrode system;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional partly cut away view of anotheralternative form of apparatus;

Fig. 10 is a transverse section thereof on line l010 in Fig. 9.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, comprises a casing orreaction chamber 1, provided with suitable supporting feet 2 secured tolugs 3 on the lower end of said casing and a removable side closureplate 4 secured to said casing by suitable means as, for example, by capscrews 4a. as shown. The apparatus is further provided with a pluralityof electrode units mounted within said casing and each comprising arelatively fixed and one or more relatively as a surface of revolution,of relatively small width in proportion to its circumferential length,and lying preferably in a plane substantially perpendicular to its axis,and a relatively rotatable electrode holder 6 having one or more radialarms 611 each provided with clamp means 61] adjacent the outer endthereof, in which is secured a rod-shaped electrode 7 of relativelysmall cross-section disposed above the corresponding electrode 5 andprojecting downwardly toward the extended arcing face 5a and rearwardlywith respect to the direction of rotation, at a trailing angle ofapproximately 60 to the vertical. The electrodes '7 are preferablypositioned with respect to the fixed electrode 5 as shown in Fig. 2,namely, with the upper forward end thereof substantially above the inneredge of the fixed electrode, and each electrode 7 extending outwardlyand rearwardly over the fixed electrode to a point substantially overthe outer edge thereof, so that, at the start of operation of theapparatus, the outer end of each electrode '7 is disposed substantiallyvertically above the outer edge of the opposing electrode face 5a, asshown at 7' and as said elec- It has been found that in the operation ofthe i above type of dissociation apparatus, the movable electrode wearsaway very slowly and the fixed electrode has practically an indefinitelife, making replacements of the fixed electrode unnecessary except atvery infrequent intervals. Further, due to the trailing angle of themoving electrodes and the high velocity relative movement thereof, thearc is always formed between the rearwardly disposed arcing face 7a ofsaid electrode and the fixed electrode, and is prevented from creep ngupwardly along said electrode.

The electrode holder 6 of all the electrode units are shown as disposedon a common vertical shaft 8 and constrained to rotate therewith as bymeans of pins 9 extending through the hub portions of said holders andthrough said shaft. Said shaft is rotatably mounted within the casing orreaction chamber 1 as by means of upper and lower bearings 11 and 12respectively and is provided with an upper end portion 8;: extendingthrough the upper wall of said casing and through a stuflingbox orpacking gland 13. Said shaft is further provided with a splined outerend 8b slidably engaged by a coactingly formed portion 14a of a coupling14 secured to shaft 15 of a variable speed motor 16 supported on thecasing 1 in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of bracket 17.

The rotatable electrode assembly, comprising the shaft 8 and theelectrode holders 6 is preferably provided with suitable means foreil'ecting longitudinal adjustment thereof for the purpose of obtainingvertical adjustment of the electrodes 7 with respect to the fixedelectrodes 5 so as to regulate the distance therebetween. Said means maycomprise a thrust bearing 18 the inner race of which is secured to theshaft 8 in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of set screw 19and the outer race of which is positioned adjacent the lower end of athreaded adjustment sleeve 21 adapted to be engaged by a coactinglythreaded portion 22 at the upper end of a hanger 23, whereby uponrotation of the sleeve 21, for example by means of spokes 24, the saidsleeve will be raised or lowered in the hanger 23, which movement willbe communicated to the rotatable electrode assembly through the thrustbearing 18 and thus eflfect adjustment of the spacing of the electrodes7 from the electrodes 5. The outer race of the bearing 18 may bepositioned with respect to the sleeve 21 by means of a lock sleeve 21athreadedly engaging the inner portion of the sleeve 21 and adapted toforce the outer race into engagement with a shoulder portion 26 at thelower end of said sleeve 21, as shown. A lock ring 27 is preferablyprovided for the sleeve 21 whereby said sleeve may be definitely held inany one position with respect to the hanger 23.

Each fixed electrode 5 is shown as mounted on a demountable split-ring31 provided with lugs 32 at the split and a screw or bolt 33 adapted toforce said lugs together so as to clamp the lower portion of saidelectrode within said ring. One or more set screws 34 may also beprovided at suitable positions in said ring, adapted to further securesaid electrode in said ring, if desired. Suitable supporting means areprovided for each fixed electrode, adapted to position said electrodeconcentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotatableelectrode assembly, and such supporting means may comprise insulators 35bolted to lugs 36 secured to or formed integrally with the casing 1,said insulators supporting an insulators in any suitable manner as, forexample,

by means of bolts '39. The electrode support 3'1 is further providedwith inwardly projecting lugs 41 adapted to provide support for theelectrode split-ring 31, said ring having a plurality of inwardlyprojecting lugs 42 corresponding in number and position to the lugs 41and adapted to be secured thereto by means of screws 43. The lugs 42 arepreferably provided with slots 44 whereby the electrode 5 may be quicklydisengaged from the electrode support by loosening the screws 43,rotating the ring 31 until the lugs 42 are clear of the heads of thescrews 43 and lifting said ring and the electrode away from saidsupport.

The apparatus is further provided with a liquid inlet opening 45 at thelower end of the casing, a drain 46, a discharge opening 47 for gaseousand solid dissociation products together with any undissociated liquid,a thermostatic control element 48 and a compressed air connection 49.The discharge conduit 51, connected to the discharge openings-47 is alsopreferably provided, as shown in Fig. 3, with a thermostatic controlelement 52 of any well known type adapted to control a valve 53 in theliquid inlet line 54 connected to the liquid inlet opening 45, said line54 being preferably provided with a by-pass 54a around said valve 53 andhaving a manually operated valve 54b.

The thermostatic control element 48 may comprise a tubular conduit 55threadedly disposed in an opening 55a in the upper wall of the casing 1.Within the conduit 55 is disposed a thermostatic rod 56 formed of brassor other metal which ,has a greater expansion under heat than that ofthe metal of which the conduit 55 is formed. Said rod 56 is adapted torest upon the bottom of the conduit 55 as at 57 and the upper end of.

said rod is adapted, when expanded or elongated due to temperature, tocontact a spring contact element 58 and force the same into electricalcontact with a spring contact element 59 and thus close an electricalcircuit formed in part by the wires 61 and 62, as will be subsequentlydescribed.

The fixed electrodes 5 are provided with connection to a suitable sourceof electric current of suitable voltage, and such connection maycomprise leads 63- extending through packing glands 64 in the side wallof the casing 1 and insulated therefrom by means of suitable insulators65 and terminating in binding posts 66 on the inner ends of said leads.Suitable flexible connectors '67 are provided to obtain electricalconnection of said electric power at sufficiently high voltage, such asa transformer 68 provided with a circuit breaker, such as shown at 69and 69a, in the low-tension side of the circuit, said circuit breakerbeing controlled by means of. relays 71 and 72 in' the motor andthermostat circuits respectively, as will be subseqently described.

The casing 1 may be provided, if desired, with inwardly projectinghorinontal handles 73 and the closure plate 4 may be provided withcorrespending baflles 73' so as to direct the liquid, which is caused toflow upwardly through the casing from the inlet 45, somewhat inwardlytowards the electrodes. The lower bearing 12 may, if desired, beprovided with a pressure oil supply through the pipe '74 so as toprovide lubrication to the ball bearing means 12a. The shaft 8 may beprovided with a suitable throw-01f ring '75 just below the top of thecasing, so as to inhibit access of liquid to the upper bearing 11.

In the operation of the apparatus of the present invention, the distanceseparating the fixed and rotatable electrodes may be adjusted with theclosure plate 4 removed from the casing, after which the closure platemay be secured in place and the reaction chamber filled with a suitableorganic liquid, such as a petroleum oil product or other liquidhydrocarbon, to a level somewhat above the outlet opening 4'7, byopening valve 542) and supplying said liquid through the by-pass 54a.The by-pass valve" 54b may then be closed and the rotatable electrodeassembly set in motion by energizing the motor 16 by closing the switch76, and adjusting the speed of rotation of said assembly by means ofrheostat 77.

Closure of the switch 69a, after the speed of rotation of the rotatableelectrode assembly has been adjusted at the desired rate, will cause arcdischarges to be established between the fixed and rotatable electrodesof each pair, the rotatable electrodes being electrically interconnectedthrough the shaft and. being preferably grounded to the casing throughthe bearing means thereof or otherwise, and the casing being groundedasindicated at '18. The relay 71, in series with the'motor' 16, operatesto energize the circuit breaker 69 and thus open the main power circuitwhen, for any reason, the motor 16 is not supplied with energy. Theswitch 76 may be of the overload circuit-breaker type, if desired,whereby the motor circuit is automatically opened when said motor issubjected to excessive overload such as upon occasion, for example, ofseizure of one of the bearings. The apparatus is, therefore, providedwith means for shutting-off the arc current whenever rotation of theelectrode assembly ceases, either because of failure of the power supplyof driving motor 16 or because of stopping or excessive overloading ofsaid motor for any reason.

3 As the liquid under dissociation treatment hecomes heated due to theaction of the several arcs, the thermostatic control element 52 willopen the valve 53 and cause fresh liquid to be admitted to the interiorof the reaction chamber. As the temperature reaches a certainpredetermined normal operating temperature, a certain rate of inflow ofliquid will be established under control of valve 53. Any increase oftemperature above this point will cause an increased rate of supply ofliquid until the temperature is restored, while a decrease-intemperatgire will cause a corresponding decrease in rate of liquidsupply. Th element 52 may be of any of the well known and commerciallyavailable types of temperature regulators, the type shown being onewhich is -oper-. Y ated by means of a liquid which is adapted to expandwhen heated, operating with positive pressure against a diaphragm in thevalve 53 in such direction as to open said valve. It has been found thatthis type of 'valveobtains a very satisfactory temperature regulationwithin the, apparatua The thermostatic control element 48 is adapted isset as an upper limit for safe or eflicient operation of the apparatus,causing energization of the circuit breaker 69 which will cut oil the 1power to the electrodes. This feature provides for automaticinterruption of the operation of the apparatus in the event that theliquid in the apparatus is caused to reach a dangerous or inefllcienttemperature for any reason, for example, by reason of interruption ofthe flow of liquid to or from the apparatus.

In Figs. 2 and 2a, the direction of rotation of the rotatable electrodes7 is indicated by the arrow A, which direction will also be the.direction of travel of the arc with respect to the fixed electrode 5.The arrow also represents the direction of rotary movement which will beimparted to the submerging liquid due to the stirring action of therotating electrodes and electrode holders. It will be understood,however, that the speed of rotation of the liquid is somewhat slowerthan that of the rotating. electrodes. Therefore, while the liquid movesforwardly over the surface of the fixed electrodes in the direction ofthe arrow A, it also moves rearwardly with respect to the rotatingelectrodes, as indicated for example by the short arrow L. a

With the above in mind, when an arc is established between one of thefixed electrodes '7 and a rotating electrode 5 (either of the tworotating electrodes may start arcing, as will be subse-' quentlydescribed), the arc will form downwardly from the tip of the movingelectrode, substantially along the minimum length are path indicated ata in Fig. 2a, and will be then caused to trail rearwardly from said tipto some such position as indicated at b, due to the constant rotation ofthe moving electrode with respect to the fixed electrodeand the movingbody of liquid.

Thistrailing position of the arc is shown in both Fig. 2 and Fig. 2a. Asthe voltage between these electrodes diminishes, this are will beextinguished, and a new arc will then be started, as before, when thevoltage again increases to, a point suflicient to strike such are acrossthe relatively short path a.

The speed of rotation of the moving electrodes, the arc voltage and thearc amperage may then be balanced until a substantially uniform andconstant operation of the apparatus is established, the rate ofthroughput of the liquid being subsequently regulated so as to obtainthe desired outlet temperature and, as the moving electrodes slowly butgradually wear away, the apparatus may be then regulated by adjustmentof sleeve 21.

Due to the continual high velocity motion of the arc with respect to theliquid, the solid and gaseous products of dissociation. become entrappedin the liquid and are thus quickly removed fromthe arc while the arecontinually contacts'fresh liquid surfaces. In addition to this removalof both solid and gaseous products of dissociation from theme by thebodily movement of the arc, the centrifugal force producedfluences theremoval of the gaseous products from v the path of the arc.

the center of rotation of the electrodes, away from the arc, in somesuch manner as indicated Thus; as indicated in Fig. -2, the gaseousproducts will move inwardly toward trode and arc and not with respect tothe moving liquid or with respect to the fixed electrode. It may be seenthat, due to this constant centrifugal separation of the gaseousproducts of dissociation from the liquid, the arc will constantly meetliquid (at a point such as P) which is substantially free of any suchgaseous products, whereby the arc is allowed to take place in such aplace and under such conditions that the resistance thereto remainssubstantially constant, which explains the remarkably uniform operationof the apparatus of the present invention. Furthermore, this liquidcontacts the elongated are along the forward and lateral surfacesthereof, and the invention thus provides maximum contact of the liquidwith the arc. However, in spite of the removal of the major portion ofthe dissociation products from the region of the are, it is apparentthat a sufilcient quantity of ionized vapors, having relatively highconductivity, is maintained adjacent the tip of the moving electrode anddownwardly and rearwardly therefrom between the time of extinguishing ofone are and formation of the next arc, to permit such next arc to beformed at relatively low striking potential. These two factors worktogether, because the reduction of the requisite striking potential, inturn, permits the arc to be formed earlier in the next halfcycle thanwould otherwise be the case, and consequently minimizes the travel ofthe rotating electrode between successive arcs and also minimizes thetime during which this ionized conductive medium must be retained inposition in order to act as above described. The retention of theionized medium in the position aforesaid may be due in part, at least,to trapping of a small quantity of vapors directly behind the trailingface of the rotating electrode.

While, as above stated, the velocity of motion of the rotating electrodeis preferably high in order to obtain the advantages above set forth, itwill be understood that as the velocity of said electrode relative tothe liquid is increased the attenuation of the arc is also increased andthat at excessively high velocities such attenuation will become sogreat as to cause interruption of the are at such an early point in eachone-half cycle as to materially reduce the proportion of the time duringwhich arcing is maintained and thus prevent any further increase inefficiency of carbon-black production. In other words, a criticalelectrode speed exists above which a further increase in speed producesno substantial increase in carbon-black production, and. according to apreferred embodiment of this invention, the rotating electrode is movedat approximately this critical speed, which may be determined by trialin any particular case.

' It will be understood that but one of the rotating electrodes '7 ofeach unit will be forming an arc with the corresponding fixed electrodes5 at any one time. The are will obviously form at that particularelectrode which encounters the least electrical resistance between itand the fixed electrode and after an arc has once formed at a particularelectrode, such are will be maintained at that electrode until theapparatus has been stopped or until conditions arise which would renderthe electrical resistance around the unarcing electrode less than thatestablished at the arcing electrode. It is sometimes advisable tointerrupt the supply of power to the electrodes after a suitable periodof operation of the apparatus and then renew the supply at which timethe electrode which has been worn away the least will arc and theoperation of the apparatus reestablished without necessitatingadjustment of the gap distance between the electrodes. In addition toincreasing the period during which the apparatus may be operated withoutrequiring adjustment or replacing of electrodes, the provision of aplurality of electrodes 7 in each unit permits the centrifugal force onthe shaft to be balanced by placing said electrodes at equal angularintervals around the shaft. Thus, in the present instance, two suchelectrodes are provided in each unit and are mounted 180 apart. Whilethe form of apparatus above described has two rotatable electrodes inposition so that either thereof may arc to a single fixed electrode, butit will be understood that any reasonable number of such electrodes maybe employed, there being two such electrodes shown forthe purpose ofillustrating a balanced construction.

Another form of electrode unit which may be used is shown in Fig. 2b.Said electrode unit comprises an electrode holder 6A provided with aplurality of electrodes 7A, each of which is disposed in arcingrelationship with the fixed electrode 5. In this manner, the longer lifeof a large 1 electrode is obtained without the production of a largevapor pocket produced by a large rod.

A typical run of an apparatus of the above type which gives a very clearrepresentation of the relative efiiciency and production capacity 11thereof, is as follows:

Capacity of treater 30 gal. Rated power capacity; K. W. Number ofelectrode pairs 3 Fixed electrode outside diameter 8 inches Fixedelectrode inside diameter 6 inches Rotatable electrode diameter inchesRadius of rotation 4-3 inches Speed of rotation 1450 R. P. M. Velocityof electrode motion (av- 11 erage) 44 ft/sec. Arc gap between fixed androtatable electrode 1/4 inches Line voltage -L 2000 volts m Arcingcurrent per arc 25 amps. K. V. A. per arc 50 Power consumption per arc35 K. W. Power factor 0.7 Type of liquid Kerosene Rate of liquidcirculation. 20 gaL/min'. Inlet temperature (liquid) 75 0. Outlettemperature (liquid and gas) C. Carbon-black per K. W. H 0.25 lbs. 13

Carbon-black per are per hour--- 8+ lbs. Total capacity of apparatus at100 K. W.... 25 lbs. carbon- "black/hr.

The power consumption per pound of carbon- 13 black produced has beenlowered to a considerable extent as compared to other types of apparatuspreviously used, due to the uniformity of the operating conditions,constant removal of the gaseous dissociation products from the arcingzone and due' to the increased surface of are which may contact thedissociable liquid.

The production capacity of a relatively small size treater isparticularly remarkable and is due in part, at least, to the fact thatan-arc of 14: considerably greater current density may be employedin'the apparatus of the present invention without serious formation ofcarbon-trees due to the circulation conditions in the vicinity of thearc and also due to the fact ,that an arc l5( of extended surface areais available to contact with the dissociable liquid whereby a largerquantity of liquid is subjectedto dissociation at one nine.

Fromthe above data it may be seen that the average current density overthe entire arcing,

surface at the end of the rotating electrode was approximately 225amperes per square inch. As a result of this high ratio of current flowto electrode surface an arc is maintained which fills a 1 relativelylarge part of the width of the space,

at the rear of this electrode, so that good contact is aflorded betweenthis are and the ,liquid streaming past the tip ,of said electrode. Thisa the width of the zone indicated at b in Fig. 2,

and since liquid flowing at high velocity past the electrode tip 7a doesnot readily re-enter toward the center of this zone immediately, the arcwould operate largely in a pocket of gaseous products trapped behindsaid electrode, rather in direct contact with the liquid. 1 q

The form of apparatus shown in FigSfW to 7 inclusive, may comprise acasing 80, provided with supporting means such as legs 81, electrodedriving or rotating means such as a variable speed motor 82 and gapadjustment means 83. Three electrode units V1, V2 and V: are providedwithin said casing. The electrode units each comprise one or more pairsof oppositely charged electrodes mounted for concurrent rotation beneatha body of liquid maintained in the casing 80. In the drawings, each unitcomprises two pairs of electrodes mounted 180 apart. The upper member ofeach electrode pair is shown as mounted on a hollow shaft 84, whichshaft is formed of bakelite or other electrically insulating material,and the lower member of each electrode unit is shown as mounted on ashaft 85 extending through the hollow shaft 84. The upper membercomprises a hub portion 86 secured to the shaft 84in any suitablemanner, as by means of setscrews 86a for example, and provided with oneor more radial arms 87 carrying the electrodes 88 adjacent the outerends thereof. Electrodes 88 are preferably of small cross-section, suchas rods, and are preferably inclined upwardly in the direction ofrotation thereof at a suitable angle, for example, at an angle ofapproximately 60 with respect to the vertical. The lower membercomprises one or more arms 89 threadedly or otherwise secured to theshaft and extending through inclined slots 90 in the hollow shaft 84,

permit the arc to be extended 'rearwardly there from.

The driving means 82 is connected to the shaft 85 through the gears 92at the lower end 85a of said shaft, said lower end of said shaftprojecting through the bottom wall of the casing 80 throughpacking-gland 93, the weight of said shaft and the lower members of eachelectrode unit being carried by a suitable thrust bearing 94.

The hollow shaft 84 is adapted for sliding vertical movement withrespect to the shaft 85 and means are provided for adjustably movingsaid shaft so as to vary the gap distance between the upper and lowerelectrodes of each unit. Said adjustment means may comprise a structuresuch as is shown at 83, in which a short shaft 95, secured to the upperend of the hollow shaft 84 in any suitable manner as, for example, bymeans of pins 95, projects through the upper wall of said casing througha packing gland 96. The shaft 95 extends through a threaded adjustmentsleeve 9'1 and is supported at the upper end of said sleeve by means ofthrust bearing 98.

The adjustment sleeve is threadedly mounted in a hanger 99 mounted onthe upper wall of the casing 80 and is further provided with a handwheel100 whereby said sleeve may be rotated and thus moved, together with theshafts 84 and 85, upwardly or downwardly dependent upon the direction ofsuch rotation. The sleeve may be further provided, if desired, with alock-collar 101 whereby said sleeve may be securely heldin any desiredposition of elevation.

The upper members of theelectrode units being each mounted upon theelectrically non-conductive hollow shaft 84 are consequently insulatedfrom each other while the lower members of each electrode unit areelectrically connected to each other through the shaft 85, said shaftbeing lated through insulating bushing 105a.-

In the operation of the above described form of apparatus, the casing orreaction chamber 80 is filled with a suitable liquid through the inlet106, a suitable outlet for gaseous and liquid dissociation productsbeing provided at 107. Rotation of the electrodes is then establishedand current is supplied to the upper members of each electrode pair.Referring to Fig. 7, the upper and lower electrodes, 88 and 91respectively, are shown in arcing relation, the arrows F indicating thedirection of travel of the electrodes with respect to the submergingliquid. When the electrodes are energized, the arcing takes placebetween said electrodes in a downward direction from the upper electrodeto the lower at some such point as shown at a, after which the are, dueto the 5 pressure of liquid upon the forward face thereof,

is extended rearwardly along the electrode 91, which in this case hasasomewhat extended area in the direction of movement thereof, and assumesa position such as is shown diagrammatically at b.

It willbe understood that the indication 'of the arc position as at aandb is solely for the purpose of giving a general idea of the manner inwhich the are is drawn rearwardly of the electrodes, and this is notintended to limit the position of the arc to any particular location onthe electrodes. f

' It will be seen that, upon adjustment of the upper members of theelectrode units so as to vary the gap between the upper and lowermembers, the lower members remain at aconstant level 115' connected to alead 105 extending with the insuand the upper members are lowered withrespect thereto, and, due to the inclination of the slot 90, a relativerotation of the two electrode members is effected so as to cause theelectrode tip 880 to remain positioned in substantially the samerelative position with respect to the electrode 91, as shown in Fig. 5.Fig. 6 indicates the position of the electrode members with the uppermember in an elevated position, the slot 90 being clearly shown.Rotation of the upper members is effected through rotational engagementof the shafts 84 and 85 by the lower member electrode arms 89.

If it is desired, for any particular purpose, the type of electrodesshown in Fig. 8 may be used, in which the upper and lower electrodes 88'and 91' are of the same type, that is, of relatively smallcross-sectional area, and in that case the arc will form between theends of the electrodes as at a" and will be subsequently movedrearwardly at the center portion and assume some such position asindicated by the dotted lines at b". It will be understood that anysuitable means may be provided for mounting these electrodes forconcurrent motion through the submerging electrodes are fixed withrespect to the remainder of the apparatus, relative movement of the arcwith respect to the liquid being obtained by forcing the liquid past thearc. In this form of apparatus it is advisable, in general, to provide agrounded electrode which is relatively movable with respect tothecharged electrodes so that the arc is not positioned in any one placefor a very supplied to the arcing zone under optimum conditions.

The form of device shown in these figures may comprise a conduit 1q8formed of porcelain or other suitable insulating material havingrefractory characteristics, said conduit being provided with a pluralityof bosses 109 through which the energized electrodes 110 may be extendedthrough suitable packing glands 111, the electrodesbeing inclinedsomewhat in the direction of liquid flow through the conduit,such flowdirection being indicated by the arrow D.

The grounded electrode may comprise an elongated cylindrical orfrusto-conical member 112 mounted on a rod 113 disposed substantiallyaxially with respect to the'conduit 108. as shown.

said rod being provided with bearing means 114 in which said rod isrotatably and slidably mountprovided with suitable means for eflectingrotawhat tapered from the forward to the rearward end, wherebyadjustment of the arc gap between it and thefixed charged electrodes 110may be obtained by longitudinal movement of said grounded electrode.

Means for effecting longitudinal movement of the grounded electrode, aswell as a rotative movement thereof, may comprise a structure as is setforth in detail in Fig. 9, in which the conduit 108 is shown as providedwith connection at one end with an elbow 115 whereby the rod 113 may beextended outside of the conduit through a packing gland 116. The meansfor effecting longitudinal adjustment of the rod 113 and the electrode112 may comprise a threaded adjustment sleeve 117 through which the rodrotatably extends, said rod being provided with bearing means at theouter end thereof as at 118. The adjustment sleeve is threadedly engagedby the end portion 119 of the hanger 120 mounted in some suitable manneron the conduit elbow 115, and the rod 113 and the electrode 112 areadapted to be moved longitudinally with the adjustment sleeve 11'! uponrotation of said sleeve, said sleeve being preferably tion thereof, suchas a hand-wheel 117a, and is further preferably also provided with alock-coilar 121 for securing the same in any desired position. Amsuitable type of pumping means may be provided for producing the liquidcirculation through the conduit, and it will be comprehended that thetreated liquid may be passed through any suitable type of gas separatorfor removal of the gaseous dissociation products and then returned forretreatment, and that portions of the treated liquid may be removed fromthe circuit at any desired point for recovery of the carbonblack, andfresh liquid may be introduced at any point.

The means for effecting rotation of the rod 113 and the electrode 112may comprise a motor 122 provided with a worm gear 123 engaging the wormwheel 124 slidably keyed to the rod 113. The rod 113 is provided with akeyway of suflicient length to allow the gear to remain in positionbetween the support members 125 of the hanger 120 independent of theposition of longitudinal adjust ment'of the rod 113.

In the operation of the above described form of device, a flow of liquidis established in the 125 conduit 108 in the direction indicated by thearrow D, rotation of the electrode 112 is effected by energization ofthe motor 122 and power is supplied to the several electrodes 110, theelectrode 112 being grounded through the apparatus and the apparatusgrounded as at 126. The are discharge will take placefrom the tips ofthe electrodes 110 to the: rotating electrode 112, the motion of theliquid with respect to the electrodes obtaining a trailing of said are,whereby the arc is drawn rearwardly of the electrodes in much the samemanner as though the electrodes were passing through the liquid. Therotation of the grounded electrode 112 prevents the formation of seriousamounts of carbon-trees thereon, and materially contributes to theuniformity of operation of this type of apparatus. It will beunderstood, however, that the rotation of the grounded electrode may berelatively slow, and in w some cases may be entirely eliminated, as thefunction of such rotation is to provide relative movement between it andthe electrodes 110, rather than to effect movement of the arc withrespect to the liquid, which is in this case obtained As the electrodes110 wear away, the electrode 112 may be moved longitudinally as abovedey scribed to close the gap between the electrodes and .when' allpossible adjustment is obtained in this manner, the electrode 112 may bereturned to the position shown and the electrodes 110 moved inwardlytherequired amount and the adjustment sequence repeated.

With an apparatus of the above described type, the electrodes 110 aresubjected to substantially the same conditions as the electrodes 7 inthe first-described form of device as regards the vapor pocket adjacentthe trailing ends thereof, and the liquid circulation conditions aboutthe are established between the electrodes 110 and 112 are in generalquite-comparable to those obtained in the previously described forms ofap- 20 charged electrodes of the forms of apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and9, for example, in the same general manner as shown in Fig. 3 inconnection with the first-described form of apparatus, or any otherdesired method of supplying electrical energy to said electrodes may beprovided.

I claim: Y

1. An apparatus for obtaining high yieldsjof carbon-black byelectrothermal dissociation of organic liquids, comprising: a reactionchamber: means for maintaining a body of organic liquid within saidchamber; opposing electrode means disposed in continuous arcingrelationship beneath the level of such body of liquid; means pro vidingcontinuous positive movement of one of said electrode means and saidliquid relative to one another, said one electrode means being of smallcross-sectional area and inclined at an angle away from the other ofsaid electrode electrodes having 'a relatively small arcing surface andbeing inclined at an angle away from the other of said electrodes andforwardly inthe direction of'relative movement thereof; and

. means for supplying electrical energy to said electrodes. 1

3. An'apparatus for obtaining high yields of carbon-blackby.electrothermal dissociation of organic liquids, comprising a chamberadapted to hold a body of' liquid, opposing electrode means disposed incontinuous arcing relation-' ship beneath the level of said liquid body.e106 trical energy supply means connected to said electrode means toproduce an arc therebetween,

means producing continuous positive movement of said are and said liquidrelative to one another, one of said electrode means being of smallcross-sectional a'reaa'nd inclined from its arcing face forwardly in thedirection of movement of said arc-and away from the other of said elec-''of motion thereof.

other electrode means having an arcing surface extending ,rearwardly ofsaid one electrode in the direction of said movement.

5. An apparatus for obtaining high yields of carbon-black byelectrothermal dissociation of.'

organic liquids, comprising: a reaction chamber; means for maintaining abody of liquid within said chamber; electrode means comprising twooppositely charged electrodes having opposing arcing surfaces disposedin continuous arcing relationship beneath the surface of said liquidbody; means producing continuous positive movement of one of saidelectrodes in a circular path through said liquid, said one electrodehaving a relatively small arcing surface and the other of saidelectrodes having an arcing surface extending rearwardly of said arcingsurface of said one electrode, and said one electrode being inclinedfrom its arcing surface forwardly in the direction of travel thereof andaway from said other electrode; and means supplying electrical energy tosaid electrode means.

, 6. An apparatus for obtaining high yields of carbon-black byelectrothermal dissociation of organic liquids, comprising: a casingadapted to hold a body of liquid; a shaft rotatably dis- .posed' withinsaid casing; a plurality of electrodes mounted on said shaft atdifferent positions along the length thereof and adapted to be rotatedtherewith and each having a relatively small arcing surface at the endthereof; a plurality of fixed electrodes having arcing surfaces ofextended area so disposed so as to be in sub-' stantially continuousarcing relationship with '1. An apparatus for obtaining high yields 61.

carbon-black by electrothermal dissociation of organic liquids,comprising: a reaction chamber; means for maintaining a body of liquidwithin "said chamber; a shaft rotatably disposed within said chamber;electrode means mounted on said shaft and constrained to rotatetherewith in .a circular path through said liquid body, said electrodemeans comprising two oppositely dis-- posed oppositely chargedelectrodes at least one of which is provided with an arcing surface ofrestricted area and is inclined away from the other of said electrodesand forwardly in the direction of rotation thereof; means for rotating"said shaft; and means supplying electrical energy to said electrodemeans.

8'. The invention set forth in claim 7, in which the other of saidelectrodes is provided with an arcing surface extending rearwardly fromthe arcing surface of said inclined electrode with respect to' thedirection of motion thereof.

9. The invention set forth in claim 7, the other of said electrodesbeing also provided with an arcing surface of restricted area and beingalso inclined away from the arcing surface of the opposing electrode andforwardly in the direction 10. An apparatus for obtaining high yields ofcarbon-black by electrothermal dissociation of organic liquids,comprising a reaction chamber, a hollow shaft rotatably disposed withinsaid chamber, a plurality of'electrodes disposed at inter the respectiveelectrode arms in suchmanner asto be in continuous arcing relationshipwith respect to the respective first-named electrodes, all of saidelectrodes being submerged beneath said liquid body, means producingconcurrent of said electrodes through said liquid upon rota- 1 tion ofsaid first-named shaft, and means supplyorganic liquids, comprisingi areaction chamber adapted to contain liquid; an electrode extending 'valsalong the lengthv of said shaft and con longitudinally withinsaidchamber; one or more oppositely charged electrodes extending inwardlywithin said chamber and having their inner ends disposed in arcingrelationship with said firstnamed electrode; means for maintaining flowof liquid-longitudinally through said chamber past said electrodes. saidsecond-named electrodes being outwardly away from said firsteleotrode,and rearwardly with respect to the of movement of said liquid: and meanssupplying electrical energy to said electrodes. '1.

'13. The invention set forth in. claim 11, said first-named electrodebeing formed as a frustoconical body, and said invention also comprisingformoving said first-named electrode longitudinally within said chamberwhereby the distance, separating said first and second-named electrodesmay be varied.

JOHN J. JAKOSKY.

